GERMANY captain Alexandra Popp will NOT start today's Euro2022 final despite being named in the starting line-up.
The 31-year-old had to withdraw from the squad just minutes before kick off due to an injury sustained in the warm-up.
The German FA have confirmed that it is a muscular issue.
She has been replaced by Lea Schuller.
Popp has been Germany's star player throughout the competition.
She is currently level with England winger Beth Mead on six goals, with both players competing for the golden boot.
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Therefore, if Mead scores another goal for the Lionesses this evening, she will go on to win the coveted trophy.
Ahead of today's game, the 27-year-old admitted that she has looked up to Popp throughout her career.
She told The Guardian: "I’ve admired Alex Popp for a lot of years.
"I played against her in the Champions League last season [when Wolfsburg beat Arsenal in the quarter-final] and we spoke afterwards.
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"I have a lot of respect for her; she’s had an amazing tournament.
"If I come away with the Golden Boot, that doesn’t matter to me. What matters most is winning the Euros."
England's Lionesses have the opportunity to win their first major tournament this evening.
They suffered a 6-2 defeat to the Germans in the final of Euro2009.
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